Explosive operated latch mechanism



Oct. 25, 1949. G. o. RocKw LL 2,485,921

EXPLOSIVE OPERATED LATCH MECHANISM Filed Oct. 10, 1947 FIG. I

awe/Mm 6A YNOR 0. ROCKWELL ELM;

Patented Oct. 25, 1949 EXPLOSIVE OPERATED LATCH MECHANISM Gaynor 0. Rockwell, Houston, Tex., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Application October 10, 1947, Serial No. 779,033

2 Claims. (01. 9-44) The present invention relates to automatically operated latch releasing mechanism and is particularly directed to quick operating mechanism actuated by the explosion of a small blasting cap or squib.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a ruggedly constructed latch mechanism which operates quicky and efficiently.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a latch release mechanism which is operable upon an explosion caused by a small blasting cap, and the like.

Still further objects, advantages, and improvements will be apparent from the following description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of the present invention taken along I-I in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the present invention taken along 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, on which like numerals of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views, there is shown therein a latch 8 having a hook member I4 and rotatable about a shaft III, which is mounted on a frame 6 The rotatable latch 8 is fitted into a slot 1 formed in the frame 6, at the base of which slot there is a bore l5 wherein a ball 9 is seated. The ball 9 fits into a hemispherical recess IS in the latch 8 whereby the latch 8 is secured from rotation about the shaft I0. A slide member I, which is slidably mounted in a cylindrical bore 23, has a flattened portion I! that is in frictional engagement with the ball 9. The ball 9 is maintained in its seated position by a spring l2 which exerts a force in a direction to compel the slidable member I to remain in its extreme left position as shown in Fig. 2. The spring I 2 which encircles a rod 2| secured to the slidable member I extends between the end face of the slidable member I and the end wall of the frame 6 through which the rod 2| extends. A knob II threaded onto the end of the rod 2i permits the manual operation of the latch release mechanism as is hereinafter described.

In alignment with the ball 9 there is a notch I9 on the slide member I of sufficient size to receive the ball 9. n the free end of the slide member I which engages a sleeve 2 threaded into the frame 6 there is a longitudinally disposed recess I8. An electrically operated squib 3 carried by a hollow plug 4 is-secured within the recess I8 by means of a retaining nut threaded onto the end of the sleeve 2. Electric wires 22, 22 connect the squib to a suitable source of electrical energy (not shown) 2 and to a conventional automatically operated switch (not shown). A pair of ball bearings I3, which are maintained in position by the plugs 20, threaded in the bores 24, frictionally engage the slide member I to reduce the friction between the sliding member I and the frame 6 upon actuation of the release mechanism.

In the normal operation of the release mechanism, the squib 3 is detonated upon closing of the switch. The expanding explosive gases cause the slide member I to slide to the right against the spring pressure I2 until the recess I9 moves into axial alignment with the ball 9 permitting the ball 9 to move into the recess I9 and release the latch 8, causing the latch 8 to rotate about its shaft I0, thereby releasing any object being hung on the catch or hook I4. A suggested use for such a device as herein described may be to release lifeboats from sinking ships. The present invention would form a part of the suspension apparatus of the lifeboat and would not interfere with the operations of the normal lowering of the boat. A suitable source of electrical energy and pressure operated switches would be associated with the latch mechanisms to provide for their operation in the event that the ships should sink before the crew succeeded in lowering the boat. Should this occur the switches would function when the sinking ship reached a predetermined depth causing the latches to operate and release the life boat.

While the invention has been described with reference to a certain preferred example thereof which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the ,art to which the invention pertains, after understanding the invention that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is my intention, therefore, to cover in the appended claims all suchchanges and modifications.

What I claim is:

1. A latch release mechanism comprising a support, a latch member rotatably mounted on said support, a recess on said latch member, a ball normally seated in said recess, slide means engaging said ball, spring means engaging said slide means, a second recess on said slide means, pocket means at the free end of said slide means, a powder charge within said pocket means, and means for detonating said charge to shift said slide means and cause said ball to move into said second recess and release said latch member.

2. A latch release mechanism comprising a support, a latch member having a hook thereon, means rotatably mounting said latch member on assumsaid support, a recess on said latch member diametrically opposed to said hook, a bail partially seated in said recess, a slide member irictionally engaging said ball, a coil spring engaging said slide member and exerting a force to maintain said slide member in a locked position, a recess situated on the side wall of said slide member adapted upon movement to receive said ball, a pocket at the free end of said slide member, a powder charge within said pocket, and means for detonating said charge whereby said slide member is caused to move against said spring pressure 10 Number and said ball shifted into said second recess permittinz said latch member to rotate.

' GAYNOR ORLANDO ROCKWELL.

Country Date 323,708 Great Britain Jan. 9, 1930 

